FRESNO - Spiritual guide, priest and friend to many passed gently into the hands of our Father on the morning of May 3, 2016, on the Feast of St James. He was 82. Monsignor Edwin James Petersen was known by many names by his family and friends – Ed, Edwin, James, Jim, Jimmy, Pete, Uncle Father, Fadat and many more.

He was a well-traveled man of the world, eloquent writer, speaker, teacher, leader and priest. His kind and gentle spirit captivated those around him. He was fluent in English, Spanish, Latin, Italian, Greek, German, French and a bit of Dutch, which helped him connect with the communities he faithfully served through his long priesthood of more than 55 years.

FRESNO - Fresno/Clovis business and community leaders unite in celebration of the Central Valley 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at Fresno’s Valdez Hall for the 67th Annual Fresno/Clovis Prayer Breakfast with keynote speaker, Dr. David Jeremiah as he shares a message of inspiration and encouragement

Dr. David Jeremiah is the founder of Turning Point Radio and Television Ministries and senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church. Born February 13, 1941 in Toledo, Ohio, Dr. Jeremiah was raised in a family deeply committed to ministry. At the age of eleven, Dr. Jeremiah and his family moved to Dayton, Ohio where his father, Dr. James T. Jeremiah, was the Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church, and in 1953 became the President of Cedarville College in Cedarville, Ohio.